Bernkastel-Kues

About the place: Bernkastel-Kues is a well-known town and wine-growing center situated on the Middle Moselle river in the Bernkastel-Wittlich district, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It was formed in 1905 through the merger of the historic town of Bernkastel on the right bank and Kues on the left bank.

Flag Description: The flag of the city of Bernkastel-Kues consists of a horizontal bicolor of black over yellow with an aspect ratio of 3:2. Centered on the flag is the municipal coat of arms, which features a quartered shield. The first and fourth quarters are black, each charged with an upright silver (white) key with the bit facing top right. The second quarter is yellow with a black bear walking towards the left from the viewer's perspective (heraldic right). The third quarter is yellow with a red crayfish facing upwards.

Symbolism: The coat of arms on the flag combines historical symbols from both merged towns. The black and yellow colors derive from the predominant colors of the coat of arms. The keys in the 1st and 4th quarters represent Saint Peter, the patron saint of the Electorate of Trier, to which the town historically belonged. The bear in the 2nd quarter serves as a canting symbol for Bernkastel (Bär = bear), while the red crayfish in the 3rd quarter is a canting symbol for Kues (Krebs = crayfish) and honors the famous native theologian and philosopher Nicholas of Cusa.